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Officials say that Gaithersburg resident Fernando J.Herrera-Rivera is facing six counts of arson for setting several fires in his hometown on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The long night for first responders began around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, when crews were called to the Holbrook Center in Gaithersburg following a report of two-alarm fires, prompting a heavy presence from the fire department.
More than 75 firefighters responded to the initial call in the 400 block of South Frederick Avenue to control three separate fires.
A two-alarm fire was called in around an hour later at 3:15 a.m. at LaFrontera Restaurant on Russell Avenue, minutes away from the initial blaze, where there were several cars up in flames that spread to a nearby building.
Dozens of firefighters were called to help knock down the flames in the second incident, which was extinguished by approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, though the damage had already been done.
In total, six fires were set, reportedly causing upwards of $1 million in damages, according to investigators. No injuries were reported.
Herrera-Rivera is being held without bond.
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